In an article at The Catholic Thing blog, David G. Bonagura, quoting Pope Benedict writes: “….there are two general types of religion. One is mysticism, whereby humanity’s spiritual experience is elevated into an absolute so that man can “plunge” into a passive God. The other is monotheism, which begins from the opposite premise: “man is the passive element upon whom God acts; here it is man who can do nothing of himself, but instead we have here an activity on the part of God, a call from God, and man opens himself to salvation in response to the call.” You can read the full article here.I understand the point Bonagura is making in his larger context, but I wonder.  In this coming weekend’s gospel (Luke 1:26-38), there is the expression “you have found favor with God.” The underlying Greek for “find” is eurisko.  The only word from that root that makes its way into English is “eureka.” Perhaps a better understanding is “unexpected discovery or surprise.”  Of course that would not apply to God, but I am sure Mary’s experience of love that morning was quite a surprise.  But hardly passive.  Even after the surprising activity of God, one still needs to respond with an active “yes.”

A passive love, it seems to me, is love beginning to die.